Process for preparing optically active tetrahydro-2-furoic acid

Abstract

A process for preparing an optically active tetrahydro-2-furoic acid is disclosed. The process comprises (i) reacting (±)-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid with an optically active amine resolver of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R 1 is a lower alkyl group and R 2 represents an alkyl group or ar aryl group, provided that R 1 and R 2 are different from each other, thus producing an optically active diastereomer salt, and (ii) decomposing the diastereomer salt. According to the process, a high purity, optically active tetrahydro-2-furoic acid can be prepared at a high yield using an amine resolver. The amine resolver can be recovered at a high yield and high purity.

What is claimed is; 
     
       1. A process for preparing an optically active tetrahydro-2-furoic acid comprising: reacting (±)-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid with an optically active amine resolver selected from the group consisting of 1-cyclohexylethylamine, 1-phenylethylamine, 1-(1naphthyl)ethylamine and 1-p-tolylethylamine, ##STR3## thus, producing an optically active diastereomer salt, and decomposing the diastereomer salt.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the amine resolver is 1-cyclohexylethylamine. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the amine resolver is 1-phenylethylamine. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the amine resolver is 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein the amine resolver is 1-p-tolylethylamine.